New Wave of Epstein Emails Stirs French Public Scrutiny

US Justice Dept releases 3 million+ pages, igniting French reaction The American Justice Department published more than three million additional pages of Jeffrey Epstein‑related correspondence on 30 January, a move described as a “deflagration” in France and prompting intense media attention on French public figures [2].

Le Monde finds no direct trafficking links, but raises awareness gaps A review of the disclosed emails by Le Monde revealed no evidence that French personalities participated in Epstein’s sex‑trafficking operations, yet the content prompts questions about what they knew or ignored [1].

French political, cinematic and cultural elites appear in the correspondence The newly released material mentions several French politicians, filmmakers and cultural leaders, indicating varying degrees of contact with Epstein, though the article does not detail the nature of each relationship [1].

Epstein’s background: wealthy financier with a 2008 conviction Jeffrey Epstein, once a Wall Street magnate linked to Bill Gates and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, was accused in 2008 of running a minor prostitution ring; the FBI identified 33 victims, some as young as 14, and he pleaded guilty to one case, receiving an 18‑month prison sentence [1].